Function
date([timestamp])
returns string - timestamp is an optional parameter. if timestamp is omitted, current timestamp is used.
examples
date() returns current time/date in human readable formatted string:
Mon Oct 21 02:10:26 GMT-0500 2013
date(timestamp)
returns time/date in human readable formatted string for specified timestamp
related functions
date().getTime()
returns current timestamp (integer number).
date(timestamp).getHours()
returns hour (integer number) for specified timestamp (or current time if timestamp is omitted).
date(timestamp).getMinutes()
returns minutes (integer number) for specified timestamp (or current time if timestamp is omitted).
date(timestamp).getSeconds()
returns seconds (integer number) for specified timestamp (or current time if timestamp is omitted).